"Has he completely inherited the powers of Senju Hashirama?"
Kakashi whispered under his breath.
Shikaku, standing beside him, replied calmly. "It's not just Hashirama's power. This child has also inherited the genius of Senju Tobirama."
"You mean… his talent with ninjutsu?"
Shikaku nodded. "Exactly. To refine something as simple as the Body Flicker Technique into a formless, Mujin-like ninjutsu… that alone shows his terrifying potential."
Kakashi's eyes lit up, a rare spark of excitement flashing across his usually tired face.
"The future of Nagano Yuichi… is worth watching."
"Heh." Shikaku smiled faintly. "Maybe you won't have to wait long. An unprecedented scene may arrive sooner than you think."
There was something deeper in his words, but Kakashi didn't press. He knew Shikaku well enough—if he said something like that, he had already planned several moves ahead.
On the field
Might Guy, burning with the Third Gate's energy, shouted down at Yuichi.
"You'd better be careful! You've seen this technique on Lee—you know how dangerous it is! But remember, the Eight Gates draw out power differently depending on the user. What you saw from Lee, and what you see from me, are worlds apart!"
Yuichi didn't need the reminder.
He understood perfectly. Even the same jutsu could differ wildly depending on who used it—one shinobi might turn a B-rank technique into S-rank devastation, while another could barely scrape out C-rank power.
It all depended on the wielder.
With Guy in the Third Gate… I'll definitely be injured if I take his attacks head-on. My regeneration may be strong, but even a moment's delay in a fight can be fatal.
I'll need to use the Dead Bone Pulse. Layered bone beneath the skin—an extra armor. Otherwise, I won't stop his strikes.
Guy studied Yuichi's tense expression and grinned. "You're thinking of a counter! Good! Think hard, Yuichi! Because in taijutsu, I won't lose to anyone!"
Bang!
Wind exploded under Guy's feet.
In an instant, he blurred into a streak of green.
The sudden acceleration left the crowd's eyes spinning.
Guy was already in front of Yuichi, his leg whipping around in a savage side kick.
The gale howled with the motion.
Yuichi crossed his arms in front of him, bracing himself.
Guy was too fast. Yuichi's body couldn't keep up at all.
The impact landed like a thunderclap.
Even with his stance firm, Yuichi was blasted backwards, his body spinning through the air.
But Guy wasn't finished.
He blurred again, chasing Yuichi's flying body.
"You can't keep up with this speed!"
And yet, inside, Guy couldn't help admiring him.
Even when overwhelmed, Yuichi didn't panic. He didn't flail or try to dodge blindly. Instead, he read the flow of the attack, braced himself, and chose the best defense possible.
For a twelve-year-old child… to have that kind of courage, to suppress the instinct to flee and instead face the danger head-on—Guy respected that.
But respect or not—
Sorry, Yuichi. I have to give this my all.
Guy's eyes hardened. His body twisted, leaping above Yuichi, right leg raised high.
Whoosh!
The kick slammed into Yuichi's chest.
Boom!!
The boy's body crashed into the ground, the earth shattering beneath him in a spray of stone and dust.
Blood spurted from Yuichi's mouth.
The jōnin in the stands shot to their feet.
"Oi! Isn't that too much?!"
"Guy-sensei—what are you thinking, trying to kill him?!"
"Taking a direct strike from Guy in the Third Gate… even an elite would struggle to survive that!"
Their voices rose in alarm. Even Shikaku's composed gaze flickered with worry.
But then—
A roar split the dust.
An explosive wave of air blasted the smoke away—
And Might Guy's body was hurled upward, flung into the sky like a ragdoll.
He froze midair, eyes wide.
Impossible! After taking that kick… he still had the strength to grab my ankle and throw me?
From below, Yuichi stood with blood dripping at the corner of his mouth.
Both hands had clamped down on Guy's leg just before impact, and with brute force, he had heaved him into the sky.
Guy twisted, looking down—his face paling.
No way… don't tell me he's planning—
Below, Yuichi bent his knees, sinking into a crouch. His left hand clasped his right fist, eyes locked forward—not even sparing Guy a glance above.
But everyone else understood instantly.
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock.
So that's it… brilliant.
Yuichi's speed couldn't match Guy's anymore. But by throwing him into the air, Yuichi had stolen away his greatest weapon.
In the air, Guy couldn't use his ground-breaking speed. His fall would be slower, predictable.
A perfect chance to strike.
"Grab the opponent, hurl him into the sky… and attack when he can't move."
Kakashi glanced at Shikaku, his voice trembling. "For a twelve-year-old to think of that, in the middle of a fight against Guy… it's genius."
But Shikaku wasn't listening. His calm mask was gone, replaced by sharp tension.
"Kakashi—look at his fist."
On the ground, Yuichi's clenched right hand glowed. Chakra waves pulsed violently from it, making the air itself shudder.
Now was the moment.
The storm was about to break.